Chapter 38: A Real Gem

Troy

Her hair was tumbling over the side of the bed as I rose onto my knees, climbing from the bed I had made myself on the floor for a second night. She was sideways on the mattress, her head closest to me, with one arm dangling over the side of the bed as she slept.

And, for the second night in a row, I had held her hand in mine as we fell asleep.

During the day, she barely gave me a passing glance, her demeanor somewhat cold and standoffish. But at night, when it was just the two of us well. I would take what I could get.

I walked slowly across the floorboards, wincing as I opened the door and it creaked loudly, the sound seeming to echo in the small room. She always slept like the dead, thankfully, and I closed the door behind me as I slipped into the darkened hallway.

Keaton was waiting for me at the helm as I walked out onto the main deck, looking up into the clear, star-laced sky as the sails hung heavy in the gentle breeze. I walked up the stairs, turning my head to the horizon where the sun was just rising into view, casting an ominous red glare across the still water.

“Red sun in morning, sailors take warning,” Keaton quipped, his hands resting on the helm.

I nodded shortly, a chill touching the back of my neck as I looked back over the water once more. Not a single cloud in the sky, not one white capped wave. Stillness. Calm.

“How long do we have before the storm hits?” I asked, reaching his side and pulling the map from the inner pocket of my jacket.

He shrugged, arching his brow, “If only someone would let us use the radar system-”

“Damian will spot us the second we power up the ship, Keaton. You’ve seen his cruisers. You know the kind of tech they have on board.”

* Aye, well, how useful are radars when tracking a ghost?”

The Persephone was truly a ghost lurking in open water. We were invisible. We needed to stay that way, at least until we reached the southern pass.

“We’re still on course. Don’t worry,” Keaton said, smiling as he tossed me my compass. I caught it, opening it, and checking to make sure he was correct.

“We’re not going anywhere in this weather,” I said, tucking the compass in my pocket and motioning up to the sails with the rolled map still in my hand. They were still deflated, and the boat was rocking back and forth in the sea instead of pushing forward towards our destination.

“We can turn the engines on-”

“Not for another day, at least. Not until we’ve traveled out of Damian’s range-”

“Sometimes, I wonder who the captain of this ship is.” Keaton gave me a sideways smile, taking his hands from the helm and crossing his arms over his chest.

“I just read the maps, Keat. Nothing more.”

He walked behind me, clapping me on the shoulder as he headed for the stairs. “Best be getting back before Myla wakes up.”

“How did that go?

“Our first night, you mean?” Keaton snorted, shaking his head.

“I don’t need the gory details”

He waved his hand in dismissal, standing on the top step, “Put her straight to bed, in a gentlemanly way. No fun was had. Not yet.”

There was a twinkle in his eye that made my heart squeeze with jealousy. He caught it, leaning his back against the railing while giving me a knowing look

*Things not going well with the princess?”

“She hates when you call her that you know,” I said, unrolling the map and spreading it on the table on the other side of the helm.

Keaton shrugged, tapping his foot, “Oh? What should I call her then, if not princess? Kitchen Wench?”

I shook my head, smiling to myself. “She has a temper, Keaton. I wouldn’t tempt her-”

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Chapter 38: A Real Gem

“Can you imagine what that one will be like when she comes into her powers?” Keaton laughed, shaking his head back and forth. “She’s a formidable creature, Troy. I’d be wary of her, if I were you.”

“Oh?” I said, unable to stop myself from laughing. But Keaton’s expression was suddenly totally serious, his eyes narrowing on mine for a moment before he relaxed, exhaling deeply.

“You told me what you knew about Maeve’s involvement in

everything. But I can’t help but wonder if there’s more you’re not telling me.”

“She’s completely ignorant of anything related to Damian, I assure you.” I understood Keaton’s wariness.copy right hot novel pub